Police and volunteers involved in the search for a man in the Lune River area south of Dover were very pleased to find him alive after three nights in the bush with only a blanket. 

The 50 year old Lune River man was found about 1045 this morning in bushland a short distance from his home.  He was well, but suffering minor cuts and bruises.  The man was assessed at Lune River by a Tasmania Ambulance Service Paramedic who was part of the crew of the Tasmania Police Westpac Rescue Helicopter.  The man was then flown to the Royal Hobart Hospital in a satisfactory condition.

Police were first alerted to the man’s disappearance on Thursday morning, when friends expressed a concern for his welfare.  It was later established that the man was last seen leaving a house on Lune River Road on Wednesday evening in a state of anxiety and distress, very lightly dressed but carrying a large heavy blanket.

Police established a Forward Command Post in the area and commenced a search, utilising the Tasmania Police Westpac Rescue Helicopter and land search teams comprising Search & Rescue and Uniform police, and approximately 15 SES and local volunteers.

Officer in charge of the operation, Inspector Doug Rossiter expressed his admiration for the SES volunteers who assisted the search.

“The SES volunteers are truly remarkable people.  They are consistently available to respond at short notice, often working in difficult or treacherous conditions and for no reward.  Mounting a search operation such as this one would be extremely difficult without the goodwill and commitment of people such as this.”

Tasmania Police Media
(03) 6230 2296